Safety aspect in hospitals should be given attention, reviewed -- Lee Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- The aspect of safety in hospitals throughout the country should be given attention and thoroughly reviewed to avoid unwarranted incidents such as trespassing and posing as staff as it involves public safety.

Alliance for a Safe Community founder-cum-chairman Tan Sri Dr Lee Lam Thye said yesterday’s incident of a teenager trespassing and impersonating a staff of the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital (Serdang Hospital) is a serious matter.

“Although this is the first time such an incident of trespassing and posing as a doctor has occurred, it should serve as a warning to the hospital so that this does not happen again,” he told Bernama.

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“This matter also involves the safety of patients in hospitals, and standard operating procedures need to be adhered to by health personnel including doctors to avoid the presence of unauthorised individuals in inappropriate areas.”

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) in a statement today urged the authorities to investigate the incident involving the 14-year-old girl and noted that it took a serious view of such matters.

Its president, Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz said that the incident involved a security breach that potentially put the health and lives of patients at risk.

She urged the authorities to tighten the security system, particularly the identification of staff, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

“Patient safety and privacy must remain the highest priorities at all times. We also urge the hospital to thoroughly investigate the matter to determine whether the incident affected patient care,” she said, adding that there should be an assessment of the girl, noting that it is unusual for a 14-year-old to behave in such a manner.

Today, the media reported that a teenage girl was arrested yesterday in connection with the incident and was remanded for two days until tomorrow to assist in the investigation of the case.

The case is being investigated under Section 448 and 170 of the Penal Code, which is trespassing and impersonating a public servant.

Yesterday, Sepang district police chief ACP Wan Kamarul Azran Wan Yusof said the local girl was arrested at 9 am yesterday in the hospital lobby, and her shirt, scrub pants and lanyard belonging to the hospital were confiscated.

-- BERNAMA